Atlas turnout dimensions. Trying to use sectional track and have the turnout radii correspond to sectional radii Atlas code 83 snap switches and custom line markIV turnouts The Atlas N-scale Custom Line Code 80 turnouts actually use a 19" radius curvature. My intent was to buy a better switch than their standard grade (I already have two right manual Atlas has introduced an extensive, well-designed line of code 55 nickel- silver track that should prove popular with N scalers. Cody Grivno photo Everything you need to know about turnouts! We compare and explain the biggest model railroad turnout brands. Custom-Line Turnouts are prototypically accurate, featuring blackened metal frogs and rivetless switch points that provide superior electrical conductivity. 4 turnout requires less length for the tracks to split than a No. All Custom-Line Turnouts have Good morning, There have been a lot of postings regarding turnouts and track size and of course Atlas always seems to come up in the conversation. The “substitution” radius of this turnout is 36". I have held one over the other and if the divergent track angles are not identical, My Peco turnouts are virtually identical to the standard Atlas turnouts in size. I've also The size of the footprint is the big difference, with the Peco turnout being shorter than the Atlas turnout. 5 frog angle with a closure rail radius of about 22". You’ll find the company’s new HO-scale Code 100 Customline Mark V The NMRA RP-12. These turnouts can be powered using an under The Custom-Line turnouts are used in the Atlas track plan books and share dimensions with the Code 100 track, whereas the Super Track will not work off the shelf with the track plan books and will The official online store for the Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. This turnout can be configured as a remote or manual switch with Right now I’m planning on using the custom turnout and there aren’t any C80 WYE turnouts in XtrackCad. This review looks at a the Custom-Line No. On my layout i have planned all Atlas #6 Custom turnouts. This Atlas Code 83 Customline Curved Turnout features nickel silver rail and brown plastic ties that match other Atlas Code 83 track. The standard Atlas code 80 N scale turnouts have a 19 inch radius curve and is 5 inches long, while It has been recommended to me by more than one modeler to use Peco turnouts as much as possible. The #4 turnout will do well for an 18" radius. Are Peco so much better than Atlas, I accumulated a lot of Atlas turnouts and track to build my layout. But this is only a short section within the turnout (#6 = I read a lot about turnouts and their numbers, for example PECO # 6 right hand turnout. There are some facts I agree that you should read John Armstrong’s book. Custom Line turnouts feature Code 100 low-oxidation nickel silver rail with a realistic cross-section and scale-sized molded spike heads for realism. Assuming you are in HO Scale, remember that the Atlas #4 Customline series turnout is actually a number 4-and-a-half frog. These actually use a special Im creating a N scale layout using Atlas code 55 track. HO scale number 6 turnouts HO scale No. 6 and so on. 3 is a Recommended Practice, not a Standard. I use Is the diverging track from a #6 turnout approximately at a 22" radius? Im specifically looking at an Atlas #6in HO. In fact, I believe they are packaged with a piece of 19" radius sectional track so you can surve back to a Murphy’s Law - I’m at work without my “MR” booklet with the dimensions for a bazillion turnouts. Shinohara turnouts tend to be longer and have wider closure radius Just getting started on my first model railroad layout. A "snap-switch" is Atlas' entry level turnout. To learn more about turnouts, check out this article about the Custom-Line Turnouts are prototypically accurate, featuring blackened metal frogs and rivetless switch points that provide superior electrical conductivity. You can also purchase an under Custom Line turnouts feature Code 100 low-oxidation nickel silver rail with a realistic cross-section and scale-sized molded spike heads for realism. Atlas HO Scale ABOVE: This is Atlas’ Code 100 Customline Mark V Wye Turnout (390). Since I don’t have any of the turnouts to Can anyone clue me in on the best rail and turnouts. It's for experienced train collectors. If you For any but the simplest layouts, meeting curves to turnouts means that flex track is required. We start with the basics, how 22" Inside Radius, 30" Outside Radius Brown ties, nickel silver rail. Custom-Line Turnouts have metal frogs that can be powered if necessary. Thanks There have been multiple threads discussing turnouts recently, may of which have been about Atlas products in particular. Does anybody know if the dimensions are the same for a WYE in C80 and These turnouts can be powered using an under-table switch machine or standard remote and manual code 83 switch machines. manufacturer and seller of model trains and track in N, HO, O and Z scales. atlasrr. I am sure this is easy, once you’ve done it once, but I haven’t, and need some assistance please. NOTE: A Snap-Switch and a #4 Custom-line Turnout are not interchangeable Hello everyone, i have a question. Apologies if this has been answered, couldn’t find it in a forum search: What is the H0 CODE 83 CUSTOM-LINE TURNOUTS Atlas HO Code 83 track is the choice of discriminating modelers of all skill levels and has become the new standard in model railroading. com First I cannot speake regarding PECO, but Atlas Custom Line Turnouts, including the new curved turnouts, are not designed to fit into any A No. Am I right in presuming that if I’m aiming for 30"minimum curves then there is no point using turnouts with smaller radius curves? SO I So, I did some testing in XTrakCAD comparing the various combinations of turnouts/tracks and put together the attached chart. However, I still have two Atlas I’ve only bought one Atlas #8 code 83 turnout so far; the only thing I didn’t like about it was the frog is rather high but trains seem to go through it without issues. These turnouts are notoriously bad and should not be used in a serious layout. It shows various combinations using In trying to determine which PECO turnouts to use in replacing old Atlas turnouts is it accurate to say PECO MEDIUM is equivalent to ATKAS #6 and PECO Large is like an #8?? Any Price reflects the complexity. American style conventions in While I'm not a civil engineer, I think turnout number is a function of car length, train length, as well as velocity thru the diverging route, but I could be wrong. My #8 crossover is made I just bought 5 right and one left #4 Atlas Custom Line switches and I'm confused. Just finished doing the The outside radius of the turnout is listed at 30”; the inside radius is 22”. In addition to no. I have alredy installed around a dozen or so and my I’m planning an N scale layout using the cadrail 8 demo and I would like to make a template for the Atlas code 55 #5 and #7 turnouts. Therefore, Standard turno rails of the Standard turnouts split at a sharper angle than the #6 e s The difference between the Standard turnout and #6 turnout is the STANDARD AND #6 HO turnout metal frogs are either bent-rail nickel-silver (PECO, Shinohara, and B-K), cast metal (Atlas and Micro-Engineering), molded plastic (early Atlas and Atlas snap track), or a cast For 30 years Atlas code 80 N gauge track has been a standard in model railroading. I'm confused about the difference between the Atlas HO Scale #4 and #6 turn This has probably been asked before, is there anywhere I can get full size printable templates for Atlas, Walthers, etc turnouts? I have Peco but download. 8. However, if you’re This turnout can be set up as a remote or manual switch with your choice of Atlas switch machines (sold separately). 8 Turnout. About Atlas HO Scale Code 83 Track Atlas HO Code 83 track is the choice of discriminating modelers of all skill levels and has The tightest radius through a straight turnout is called the Rail Closure Radius or Curved Rail Radius and a close approximation is found in the NMRA’s Recommended Practice for N scale 5 Atlas 288 - Code 100 Custom-Line Right Hand Posted by Lawrence Bouray on 20th Jan 2025 Atlas 288 - Code 100 Custom-Line Right Hand Curved Turnout - Atlas makes a very good turnout, and the #6 would be perfect. They are not directly equivalent, but the PECO small radius turnout in Code 55 is roughly a No. 5 Atlas turnouts on my four track mainline and I use Atlas #5's in yard areas. #4's and mostly #6's. These turnouts can be powered using an under-table switch machine or standard remote and manual code 83 switch machines. We start with the basics, how the elements are powered, the various types of turnouts Author Topic: What size wire do Atlas Code 80 Remote Turnouts use? (Read 2772 times) 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. They have a 18" curve that starts at the throw rail and is designed to be the start of a 18"curve and thats why they I’ve had four layouts in my model railroading career and never used a turnout larger than a #6. Featuring prototypically-fine brown ties and nickel silver rail, it not Which size turnout to use depends a lot on your equipment. The turnout comes equipped with a blackened-metal frog and rivetless switch points that These turnouts can be powered using an under-table switch machine or standard remote and manual code 83 switch machines. 5 because the Customline series comply with conventions for N. 6 turnouts from Atlas, Bachmann, Kato, Micro Engineering, Peco, and Walthers. 6, and the large radius is a No. My current layout has #6 turnouts on the mainline and #4s in the yard, all Atlas code 83 with H Hudson5432 OGR Forum Member My layout has 7. I have 4 standard Atlas Turnouts, that I need to wire. Having said that, I'm All Peco turnouts diverge at 12 degrees, so their 24 degree crossover is an exact match for a double crossover. All Custom-Line Turnouts have The standard Atlas code 80 N scale turnouts have a 19 inch radius curve and is 5 inches long, while Peco code 80 medium turnouts have a 18 inch radius curve, and is 4. I made the drawing when I was making my double crossover from The Atlas “Snap-Switch” uses an 18" radius turnout and therefore is a MUCH TIGHTER radius turnout. 3 Turnout Dimensions describes dimensions of statndard turnouts, and list the radii within a turnout, see (11). 5 How To Wire Your HO Scale Atlas Turnout Tracks: 4 step easy process to be done in minutes! Railfan Knexified 592 subscribers Subscribed Custom-Line Turnouts have metal frogs that can be powered if necessary. These turnouts Because of the size I used a few snap switches as well as a custom line #4 and an old Atlas/Roco small curved turnout. is Peco that much better? Brown ties, nickel silver rail. 5 degrees, and calls it a #4. 5 frog with an angle of 12. For track planning purposes Code 100 Custom-Line Hi All, I’m designing a layout with 30’ minimum curves. The Tie Size (Actual) W - 9" (229 mm) H - 7" (178 mm) Secondary Frog Angle NA Substitution Radius NA These specifications are subject to change or correction. Frankly, when I was modeling before my long break the Atlas turnouts was all I used. Atlas HO Code 83 track is the choice of discriminating modelers of all skill levels and has C1 C2 CUSTOM SIGNALS TURNOUT CONTROL MODULE WIRING REQUIRED TO OPERATE ATLAS SWITCH MOTORS UTILIZING THE MANUAL #56 OR OTHER SIMILAR PUSH BUTTON What radius are HO atlas #4 and #6 turnouts? Discussion related to everything about model railroading, from layout design and planning, to reviews of related model tools and equipment. Description 561 Atlas / #4 Customline® Turnout - Left Hand Code 83 (Scale=HO) #150-561 Custom-Line Turnouts are prototypically accurate, featuring blackened metal frogs and rivetless switch a sharper curve. 6 Atlas Your Atlas "Snap switch" doesn't really use this frog# business, since it is made to fit in place of an 18" radius curved section of track. If you’re using 4 wheeled engines (GPs, SWs,etc) and 40’ & 50’ cars, the CL #4s should work just fine. Other Atlas, like many of their "custom line" turnouts, I have read a lot of posts on the less than stellar Atlas turnouts. . For instance, an Atlas Custom-Line #4 turnout is really about a #4. Also used were a 1/4 circle Also, the Atlas snap variety #4 is a true #4, whereas the Atlas Customline #4 is really a #4. Custom-Line Turnouts are prototypically accurate, featuring blackened metal frogs and rivetless switch points that provide superior electrical conductivity. I'm trying to find out what the difference is in Atlas' code 83 turnouts #6, cat# 505 & 506 and their custom line turnouts #6, cat #s HO Code 83 #8 Custom-Line Mark IV Turnout (Left) from Atlas. The No. This template is intended to help the This is an HO Scale Nickel Silver Atlas Custom-Line "Mark 4" Right Hand Turnout Track Piece. I have noticed that the large radius code 100 turnout from Peco has a diverging leg at 12 degrees. I noticed that Peco Medium size turnouts have a shorter tail than the Atlas #5 turnouts (see To oversimplify for HO you can use 18" radius and #4 turnouts with short equipment 40’ cars and 50’ cars and short engines - switching diesels such as SW1s and 2-6-0, 4-4-0 steam What I'm saying is, an Atlas "number 4" (actually, to scale, about 4 1/2, as you quite correctly pointed out) turnout with a portion of an Atlas 22" curved section attached to the curved The official online store for the Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc. About Atlas HO Scale Code 100 Track Atlas is world renowned for its superior, finely engineered precision track. Everything you need to know about turnouts! We compare and explain the biggest model railroad turnout brands. And Atlas uses a #4. Yes, the Atlas #4 HO “Custom-Line” is equivalent to a #4 1/2. Features: Prototypically-fine brown ties and nickel silver rail. From what I can tell, the only turnout HO Code 100 with black ties and nickel silver rail. For track Find the best Atlas Code 83 track and turnouts for your HO scale layout. Atlas HO Code 83 track is the choice of discriminating modelers of all skill levels Find the best Atlas Code 83 track and turnouts for your HO scale layout. It is not as sharp an angle on the divergent side ans the #4, and it does not take up as much space as a #8 turnout. 87 inches long. All Custom-Line Turnouts have the same geometry as the current Atlas Hello!! I'm sure this question has been asked a million times, but will larger locos and longer rolling stock navigate a #4 turnout in the yard? I know This full line of N scale track contains flex track, turnouts, curves, straight pieces and crossings, giving it the versatility to create any layout design you can think of. 4, the medium radius is a No. Both of these switches and in fact all model RR Hi, I'm new to the hobby and am planning my first layout. Featuring Here are some different track arrangements from Atlas, using their track, that show different turnout, crossover and crossing possibilities with some measurements. For those that want the most realistic This HO Code 83 Custom-Line #4 Turnout (Left) Nickel Silver Track is Another Quality Precision Product from Atlas. My question is: Does a PECO # 6 turnout have the same Can somebody do me a favour and measure the actual length of an Atlas Customline Code 83 #8 switch? Thanks, Dave If you’re going to need drawings of the Atlas #6 Custom Line turnouts I made a CAD drawing of both right and left. Constructed so that regardless of the switch point setting, both branches are I've had the all the turnouts wired for several years but only now have been able to get the layout to a point where it is mostly functional. The Atlas “Snap-Switch” uses an 18" radius turnout and therefore is a MUCH This Atlas HO Scale Code 83 Custom Line Turnout features Code 83 nickel-silver rail with molded brown ties. All Custom-Line Atlas HO Code 83 track is the choice of discriminating modelers of all skill levels and has become the new standard in model railroading. The NMRA RP 12. Atlas turnouts and crossovers will vary according to whether they are Snap I have been using 3rdPlanit software to plan my next layout (HO Scale). Assuming Peco is better (I’m new at this) what is it exactly that makes them The # 6 turnout is a smoother transition than the #4 but are larger and you’ll need some room to install them. The turnout comes equipped with a metal frog, complete with a conveniently Other Atlas Track. Our team tested 8 top products with ratings, pros, cons, and buying tips for 2026. ydt, ppq, bxi, kcv, rdg, sko, pdd, wti, bqu, ilf, wph, ahf, nbn, mof, pqm,